Manchester United can prove they have their mojo back by spanking Liverpool tonight

Manchester United players hug after a goal by Wayne Rooney (Picture: AP Photo)

Manchester United’s game with Liverpool tonight is more than just a pre-season friendly.

No matter what anyone says there is no such thing as a friendly between these two great rivals, but tonight’s clash in Miami could prove to be very important.

United were humiliated by Liverpool on their own ground last season, arguably putting in their worst performance of a dismal campaign against their bitter rivals at Old Trafford.

And while a win for Louis van Gaal’s men tonight will not be worth any points in next season’s Premier League table, it will put a marker down in the sand and send a message out to Brendan Rodgers’ men that things will not be so easy this time around.

There is currently a bit of a buzz around Old Trafford, with a sense of optimism about future that has not been felt since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.

And while in reality Manchester United have only enjoyed a few good wins in pre-season, but however you look at it the signs are looking good for new manager Van Gaal.

Four consecutive victories against the likes of Real Madrid and Inter Milan has brought back confidence to the side. Furthermore in the pre-season games there have been some superb performances from the likes of Tom Cleverley and Ashley Young – players who looked certain to leave at one stage or another last term.

A big win against Liverpool would be a massive boost for United, and it would definitely send a huge message to the rest of the Premier League.

If Van Gaal can get the best out of them it will be like two new signings, and I’m sure there will be plenty of new additions too before the end of the transfer window to help the campaign.

United have also found their dangerous attacking threat again. Rather than the pedestrian paced football they had played last season Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck, and Juan Mata are now all linking-up well.

When you add to this the midfield solidity and creativity of Darren Fletcher and new signing Ander Herrera and you can see how the team is taking shape.

I’m not saying that United should now be favourites for the title but it is clear they will be a lot, lot closer to it than they were last time around and rival teams have plenty of reasons to be wary.

A big win against Liverpool would be a massive boost for United, and it would definitely send a big message to the rest of the Premier League. It would also cause Liverpool fans to begin to doubt themselves as they face a season without Luis Suraez.